Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (CB516-1H)

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (CB516-1H) pairs a 16-inch display with the Intel Core i3-1315U and 8GB of RAM. Its 16:10 aspect ratio provides 11% more vertical workspace compared to traditional 16:9 screens, which shows up most in document editing and spreadsheet work. Chromebook Plus certification brings the enhanced Google AI tools with it, including Magic Editor in Photos, Help Me Write, and improved video call features. The chip and memory here cover web browsing, document work, and light media playback rather than anything heavier.

Screen space bought with plastic and weak speakers

Related Videos

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (CB516-1H) Comparison Chart

	Acer Chromebook Plus 516 (CB516-1H)
Price	List Price: $479 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon Best Buy: Loading price...
Model number	CB516-1H-31UE
Performance Rating	7.4
Chromebook Plus	Yes
Processor	Hexa-core 1.20 Ghz (max 4.50 Ghz) Intel Core i3-1315U
RAM	8 GB
Internal Storage	128 GB UFS
Screen Size	16"
Screen Resolution	1920x1200
Screen Type	IPS
Touch Screen	No
Stylus / Pen	No Stylus Support
Dimensions width x length x thickness	14.13 x 9.96 x 0.76 inches (358.9 x 252.98 x 19.3 mm)
Weight	3.75 lbs (1.7 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	No
Webcam	1080p
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3
Ethernet	No
Cellular Modem	No
HDMI	Full-Size HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB 3, 2 USB-C (USB-C up to 10 Gbps, DisplayPort, Power Delivery)
Thunderbolt Ports	No
Card Reader	No Card Reader
Battery	53Wh, Li-ion
Battery Life	12 hours
Fanless	No
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2033

Plastic build with a 180-degree hinge

The chassis measures 14.13 x 9.96 x 0.76 inches and weighs 3.75 pounds, which is manageable for a 16-inch laptop. All-plastic construction keeps that weight down but feels less premium than aluminum alternatives like the smaller Acer Chromebook Plus 514, and the shell flexes slightly under pressure. Acer says the build uses ocean-bound plastic materials. The 180-degree hinge lets the screen lay completely flat, useful for sharing content or presentations, and the port layout splits across both sides: both USB-C ports sit on the left with the HDMI and headphone jack, the USB-A ports on the right.

The Intel Core i3-1315U carries 6 cores (2 performance, 4 efficiency) and 8 threads. This 13th-generation Raptor Lake chip scores approximately 11,229 on PassMark’s CPU benchmark, which covers everyday productivity without trouble. The 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS storage round out the configuration, and neither can be upgraded after purchase. Higher-tier models in the 516 line ship with Intel Core 5 or Core 7 processors instead.

Wireless covers WiFi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. The port lineup provides 2x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort and Power Delivery support, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and an HDMI 1.4 output for external displays. The HDMI 1.4 specification limits that output to 4K at 30Hz or 1080p at 60Hz, which may matter for users with high-refresh monitors. There is no card reader, a minor inconvenience for photographers, though the USB-A ports handle external storage easily. There is no built-in Ethernet either, so a wired connection needs a USB Ethernet adapter.

Reviewer Insights

Chrome Unboxed’s Perspective

Chrome Unboxed tested this model focusing on how it compares to the more expensive Gaming Edition model. They found the 16-inch display bright and clear with good anti-glare treatment, noting “the brightness is very good, the anti-glare looks really good, I think it’s a decent screen.” The 1080p webcam impressed them with excellent dynamic range and clarity.

They called the OceanGlass trackpad a standout, matching the quality found on higher-end Acer models. They were disappointed by the speaker quality, saying the speakers “sound like this as if I were talking kind of into some sort of can” and calling it “a bit unfortunate.” They suggested the device becomes compelling when on sale around $350, noting “if it goes on sale on a regular basis and it’s like 350, something like that… I think this becomes a pretty compelling option.”

MergeDroid’s Perspective

MergeDroid covered the 516 in both an unboxing and a 514-versus-516 comparison. He noted Acer rates the 16-inch model at 1.7 kg (3.75 lbs) and found that, despite the plastic lid, it “does feel pretty well put together for an all-plastic build.” He appreciated the physical privacy slider for the 1080p webcam, the versatile port selection, and the long software support window.

Comparing it directly to the 14-inch 514, he said the “larger 16-in option, the 516, does feel well put together, but it can’t feel quite as robust as the 514, because that offers an aluminum lid over the plastic found on the 516.” He flagged the number pad’s “odd layout” with the plus and minus keys, and concluded that “unless you need the extra real estate of the larger screen on the 516 and that number pad,” most people should “stick with the Acer Chromebook Plus 514.”

How-To Geek

According to How-To Geek, the 516 provides a large screen at a low price but suffers from significant design compromises. The expanded keyboard layout drew the sharpest complaint, noting “the utter frustration this caused overshadowed my entire experience with the Acer Chromebook Plus 516.” The speakers received harsh criticism as “one of the worst sets of laptop speakers I’ve encountered.” They ultimately rated it 6/10.

IT Pro

According to IT Pro, the 516 is “a rather solid but unexciting budget Chromebook with a larger-than-average display.” They found the plastic construction sturdy despite not being premium, and noted it works well as a desktop replacement for office environments. The review recommended it for organizations needing to stay below budget thresholds while still getting a usable large-screen device.

The big screen and the support window through 2033 carry it

Document and spreadsheet work is where the 16-inch 16:10 panel pays off, and Chromebook Plus certification puts Google’s AI tools on top of it. The 1080p webcam and the AUE support until 2033 are what make this a reasonable buy for remote workers and for organizations that keep hardware in service for years.

The plastic shell, the speakers, and the number pad layout are the reasons to look instead at the smaller Acer Chromebook Plus 514, which puts an aluminum lid over the same kind of plastic base. Anyone who needs keyboard backlighting for low-light typing has to shop a different Chromebook Plus model in this price range.

The Chromebook Comparison Chart puts these specs next to the rest of the catalog.

Frequently Asked Questions